Submitted by: Steven A Johnson

Pumpkin seed oil is a dark-green oil that shimmers red when held to the light. For centuries, south eastern Austrians, Croatians, Hungarians and Slovenians have used hulled and roasted seeds of the Styrian oil pumpkin to press into oil. Before this deconstruction, they are dark, flat seeds, unlike the pumpkin seeds we are familiar with on Halloween!

The oil is intense in flavor, with strong tones of “nuttiness”. It is thick and dark, although the viscosity can depend upon the time of year it is harvested and the unique pumpkin from whence it came. When browned, this oil is bitter in taste and has less nutritional value. When cooked or exposed to high levels of heat, many of the essential fatty acids this oil is naturally blessed with, are destroyed.

Mix it with honey or olive oil and you have yourself a delicious salad dressing. Unlike most salad dressings, this one is sure to be a healthy addition to your already-healthy meal choice!

In Austria it is considered a delicacy, and you will find it added to many plates, even dribbled over vanilla ice cream and mixed with yogurt. There is a pumpkin soup known as Styrian pumpkin soup which involves roasted onions, and pumpkin flesh. Roast these together for 1 minute and then add water to create the broth. Cook these together for 10 minutes then add salt, pepper, chili powder, curry powder (all to taste), 3 table spoons of vinegar and 5 table spoons of pumpkin seed oil. Mix well and serve hot!

Another salad dressing recipe is traditional in its roots and very easy to concoct. 60 milliliters of apple cider vinegar, 30 milliliters of pumpkin seed oil and a dash of salt later and you have a delicious dressing for salads, especially those with tender slices of meat laid across a bed of lettuce.

In addition to its great culinary usage, pumpkin seed oil has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, help control and lower cholesterol levels, and rid the intestinal tract of parasites, according to German folk medicine. It is particularly known to help with prostate health, especially when used in junction with saw palmetto. This is due to the fact that pumpkin seed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, and Zinc. As a man ages, he loses testosterone. Estrogen levels remain the same, and due to the higher level of estrogen, the prostate can begin to swell. Pumpkin seed oil appears to inhibit this growth.

For men seeking to use this as a remedy, the suggested intake amount is 160 milligrams three times a day. There are many supplements available on the market today.

The L-tryptophan found in pumpkin seeds is said to help with mild depression, and people of Thailand have imported these seeds to help prevent kidney stones. Brittle bones may benefit from the aforementioned Zinc.

Whether as a healthy additional to your diet, or in supplement form to help protect your prostate, pumpkin seed oil is sure to benefit any user.

About the Author: Steven Johnson is committed to helping people maintain healthy and effective lifestyles. For more information on any other health supplements please visit his website Alternative Health Supplements at

alternative-health-supplements.com

Source:

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